Chapter 37

Friday, April 13th

Hailey woke him the next morning, her arms crossed and her forehead puckered. "Where have you been?" The anger faded as she took in the giant purple bruises on his naked chest. "My God, Pat. What happened?"

"There was.a fight," he muttered thickly. "You know Mikey."

"Yeah, I used to. I guess he hasn't changed." She perched on the edge of the bed and traced the swollen purple marks on his arms. "Did Mikey do this?"

"No. Some big guy Mikey pissed off." He grinned. "If you think I look bad, you should see him."

"Sure. Never mind. I'm going to make breakfast." She pulled to her feet and waddled away. It was at least five months by Patrick's calculations, and he knew that soon she wouldn't be able to bend anymore.

When she was gone he flopped back in bed and told himself that Claudius' had just been a nightmare. This was his reality. Not that.

If only he really believed it.

***

Saturday, April 14th